LUDLOW, Vermont — On Friday, June 6, The Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series will feature the soul-stirring blues of Nobby Reed.

Inspired at an early age by the talents of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and Duane Allman, Nobby Reed developed an intimacy with his guitar and a passion for blues. He emulated his heroes by playing the tunes of Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, BB King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf. After paying his dues in the relative obscurity of the Northeast bar scene, recording and performing in a host of different bands, Reed released his first solo CD to critical acclaim in 1997. “Guitar On My Back” was listed by Blues Revue Magazine as one of the top-ten magazine-staff favorites. Reed hit the road with his own band and the Nobby Reed Project was born. NRP has shared the stage with Blues Traveler, Dickie Betts, James Cotton, Delbert McClinton, Buckwheat Zydeco, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Mighty Sam MacLain, John Mayall and the Blues Breakers, Roomful of Blues, The Neville Brothers, Eddie Money, Leon Russell and Rod Piazza.

On Friday nights throughout the summer season, the lawn in the courtyard at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn will be transformed into an outdoor concert venue featuring renowned local and regional entertainers. Admission to the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series is free (excluding the June 27 performance of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra). The grounds open at 5 p.m. and concerts are slated to run from 6 to 9 p.m. Families are welcome and all attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Summertime barbecue favorites and refreshments will be available each week and concert-goers may also dine at Jackson Gore’s Coleman Brook Tavern. Okemo’s Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series is sponsored by Pepsi, 101.5 The Fox, Oldies 104.5, Q106, and The Hatchery.

Following Nobby Reed, the summer lineup for the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series includes Skyla Burrell Blues Band, June 13; Chris Kleeman, June 20; The Vermont Symphony Orchestra, June 27; Fry Daddy, July 4; Revision, July 11; The Gully Boys, July 18; Adam Payne and 2Adam12, July 25; The Few, Aug. 1; Spiritual Rez, Aug. 8; Michael Cleary Band, Aug. 15; Twiddle, Aug. 22; Dr. Burma, Aug. 29.

For more information, please visit www.okemo.com or call 802-228-1600. For dinner reservations at Coleman Brook Tavern, call 802-228-1435.